Podcast
Party Politics
A political podcast from two smart guys providing you with up-to-date policy and politics for your next cocktail party.
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Podcast
Fire Triangle
In the past two years, half a dozen chemical disasters have ripped apart Texas neighborhoods, sent dozens of people to the hospital and killed unsuspecting bystanders as well as workers. Texas Public Radio and Houston Public Media spent the better part of 2020 investigating these events to answer the question: why do so many chemical disasters keep happening in Texas, and what—if anything—is being done to prevent more?
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Podcast
Houston Matters
Podcast
Houston Public Media Local Newscasts
Local newscasts from Houston Public Media, updated during drive times.
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Podcast
Next Question with Ernie Manouse
Party Politics
Party Politics: Debate Night in Texas
Posted on · Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina delve into the latest news in national and local politics.
Houston Matters
Houstonians part of large Red Cross effort headed to Florida for Hurricane Ian relief efforts
Posted on · An estimated 3,000 volunteers are coming from across the United States, with a large number of them coming from Texas.
Energy & Environment
Fifth Ward residents push for robust testing after toxic chemical found in 47 soil samples around UP railyard
Posted on · The Houston Health Department announced last week that they had found traces of dioxin -- a highly toxic chemical compound — in all of the samples collected near the rail facility.
Criminal Justice
Houston, Harris County gets $2 million Department of Justice grant to reduce violent crimes
Posted on · The new initiative will include prosecutors from the Criminal Division’s organized Crime and Gang section, investigative agents, analyst, forensic experts from the FBI, HPD and HCSO.
News
In a reversal, the Education Dept. is excluding millions from student loan relief
Posted on · The Biden administration has quietly changed its guidance to disqualify borrowers who have privately-held FFEL and Perkins loans.
Events
Conroe’s Parker McCollum to kick off 2023 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Posted on · Next year's rodeo is scheduled to run from Feb. 28-March 19. Tickets for the opening night performance go on sale Oct. 6.
Business
FedNat insolvency puts Gulf Coast property owners at risk of losing insurance coverage
Posted on · The Florida-based company, which is licensed in Texas, has about 1,000 policyholders in Harris County or along the Texas Gulf Coast. Impacted customers can seek windstorm and hail damage coverage through the TWIA.
Houston Matters
Houstonians gear up to help Florida as Hurricane Ian makes landfall (Sept. 29, 2022)
Posted on · On Thursday's show: We learn how Houstonians are gearing up to help those in Florida affected by Hurricane Ian.
City of Houston
Houston City Council sets public hearings for $478 million bond
Posted on · Council voted to place a $478 million bond on the November ballot at its August 17th meeting – the first time since 2017 a bond was placed on the ballot.
Local
Houston City Council finalizes $83.5 million investment in Buffalo Bayou Park
Posted on · The city's investment is part of a $310 million investment for the park, the largest gift in the city's history for a park.
Texas
Uvalde parents demand investigation into resource officers who responded to shooting
Posted on · They are demanding accountability and an investigation into UCISD school resource officers.
Infrastructure
More electrical vehicle charging stations to be built across Texas
Posted on · Texas’ EV charging plan outlines how the state will grow its emerging charging network of approximately 5,798 public charging ports, using funding from President Biden’s infrastructure law.
Houston
Rapper Trae tha Truth reveals school closets filled with supplies for underserved students
Posted on · The classroom-turned-closet is filled with clothes, shoes, school supplies and pantry items for students who are homeless to stop by and stock up when in need.
Local
Alvin teacher Michelle Reynolds still missing; New Orleans police now involved in case
Posted on · The 48-year-old Alvin ISD teacher and mother of three was reported missing last week by her husband, who said she had been undergoing treatment for a mental health issue.
Houston Matters
Katy ISD trustees approve new book complaint policies for school libraries
Posted on · "Obscene and harmful" materials are now banned. Parents must give consent to students checking out books from classroom libraries, and parents will be notified when their student checks out a book from the school library.
Politics
Ted Cruz votes against bipartisan bill to prevent another Jan. 6
Posted on · The Texan objected to certifying Arizona’s electoral votes as rioters stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The bill, which Cruz voted against in committee on Tuesday, would make a similar move in the future meaningless.
News
Some don’t evacuate, despite repeated hurricane warnings, because they can’t
Posted on · People with disabilities, people who can't afford it and people who don't want to abandon their pets are among the many who can't easily get up and leave before a hurricane.
Houston Matters
School library policies, and the week in politics (Sept. 28, 2022)
Posted on · On Wednesday's show: We learn how Katy ISD officials revised the district's library policies this week, including how it responds to complaints about books. And we discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Economy
Entergy partners with United Way to offer electricity bill credits to Houston-area customers
Posted on · The one-time $150 credit is available to Entergy Texas customers with low-to-moderate annual incomes.
Gun control
Texas will fight ruling that it can’t ban adults under 21 from carrying handguns
Posted on · The state’s decision has frustrated some gun rights groups who saw the ruling as a victory.